Religious Zionism: What’S Next?

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ISRAEL

Religious Zionism: What’s Next?

According to some, the only feasible way to guarantee that the State retains its Jewish majority is total disengagement from areas of the country where large Arab populations are concen- trated. Photo: www.sassontiram.com

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disengagement was a watershed event The that seared the psyche of many thousands of Jews, though the effect on young Religious Zionists was most pronounced. The crucial issue concerns the long-term effects of the disengagement. We have posed several questions to six individuals, each of whom is a keen observer of the Israeli scene. They represent widely divergent views and should help us gain a better understanding of the disengagement’s background and meaning.

What prompted the disengagement—security considerations, improving 1prospects for peace, diverting attention from possible corruption charges or the desire to break up Religious Zionist communal life and undermine the Religious Zionist spirit?

What will be the short- and long-term effects of the disengagement on 2 Religious Zionism’s attitude toward the State? Toward the army? Has the long-standing alliance between secular and religious Jewry in Israel 3been irreparably damaged as a result of the disengagement? Were ordinary Chareidi Jews more sympathetic to the plight of the uproot- 4ed than were their political leaders? If so, what effect will that have on the relationship between Chareidi and Religious Zionist Jews?

How do you explain the failure of so many Religious Zionists to follow 5 the views of their religious leaders such as Rabbi Avraham Shapira and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu?

Can the current split within the Religious Zionist movement be bridged? 6 Can those who will “not forgive and not forget” be reconciled with those who seem ready to adapt to the disengagement? Can the bitterness and trauma engendered by the disengagement ever be overcome?

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PETER AND AVI ABELOW

achel Saperstein, a resident of the shuls of 10,000 Jews have been tions for their efforts to try to rebuild RJerusalem Gold Hotel (as of this destroyed, and the victims have been their lives and communities. Irrespective writing), is a friend of ours who lived in cast out, for the most part, to fend for of whether or not one agrees with the Neve Dekalim in the Gaza Strip for themselves. Even those who adhered to disengagement, or whether or not a par- over twenty-five years before being the government’s timetable and ticular family left willingly or had to be expelled from her home. Some months demands have not fared much better carried out, we are obligated to assist ago, she went on a fund-raising trip to than those who did not. Should this not these Jews in their time of need. the United States on behalf of the be the concern of every Jew everywhere? But the real issue that should con- 10,000 refugees from Gush Katif and One of the most tragic stories is cern American Orthodoxy is the ongo- Northern Shomron. Her biggest disap- that of the late Chezi Hazani, coinci- ing struggle to define the nature of the pointment was that many shuls refused dentally of the destroyed community of Jewish State. Shimon Peres has often to give her a forum because they did Netzer Hazani. Chezi died suddenly of asked if Israel is a Jewish or an Israeli not want to take a stand on a political a heart attack one month after he and state. When Peres was defeated by issue. his family were expelled from their Binyamin Netanyahu in the 1996 elec- What a sad commentary on the home. But there was no place to bury tions, he was quoted as saying that “the state of the Orthodox community in Chezi because he no longer had an offi- Jews won and the Israelis lost.” Peres America when the obligation to assist cial residence. Finally, after the body lay was Ariel Sharon’s chief political partner fellow Jews who are homeless, jobless in an ambulance on the road for four at the time of the disengagement. and in desperate need of support, both hours, the city of Rishon Letzion per- Although we cannot see into the minds financial and emotional, is twisted into mitted Chezi to be buried in its ceme- of the architects of the disengagement, an issue of politics. Their situation is as tery, near the graves of his own parents. many Israelis believe that the evidence serious as that of the thousands of vic- But he was not entitled to the free bur- clearly points to an agenda to break up tims of Hurricane Katrina. Yet the ial services granted to the residents of Religious Zionist communal life and response to their needs has been very the city. His family had to pay an exor- undermine the movement’s idealistic different. bitant 30,000 NIS (around $6,000) spirit. This point is particularly critical This human disaster was not the “non-resident” fee before the city’s to understand in light of the Road Map, result of a sudden, unanticipated act of chevrah kadishah (burial society) would which envisions the uprooting of many nature but the consequence of a meticu- proceed with the burial. more religious, idealistic Torah-based lously planned move by the Israeli gov- As of this writing, four months communities, this time in the undisput- ernment. In anticipation of the expul- after the expulsion, more than half of ed heart of Biblical Israel, throughout sion, police were thoroughly prepared— the expellees are still living in hotels. Yehudah and Shomron. Therefore, the they were given detailed information Others are living in small, leaky cara- question we must ask is this: Are we a about the Jews to be expelled including vans, a fraction of the size of the homes nation that is guided by the principles the number of people in each home, the in which they once lived. According to a of Jewish tradition and Jewish law, or a ages of the children, the professions of recent article in The Jerusalem Post, 78 country, like every other country, run the adults and their psychological pro- percent of the expellees are unemployed. for and by people who happen to be files. But there seemed to have been far Many have no access to their posses- Jewish? less concern and certainly far less plan- sions, which are locked away in storage The struggle over the identity of ning for what would happen to the peo- containers. These are real people with the Jewish State is nowhere more evi- ple the next day. The homes, liveli- real needs. They and their children have dent than in the political realm. The hoods, schools, community centers and been scarred by the traumatic events of Shinui Party, whose platform called for August 2005. The current plight of the Israel to be run as a secular state, was Peter Abelow writes a regular column for Jewish Action. His son Avi, an organizational refugees is a humanitarian, not a politi- the third largest vote getter in the last psychologist, was a volunteer in Gush Katif at cal, issue. Instead of being helped, peo- elections. After the election, Orthodox the time of the disengagement and was ple who built communities in which politicians were outraged, accusing party expelled with the residents of Netzer Hazani. Torah study and observance flourished leader Tommy Lapid of virtually declar- They both live in Efrat. are harassed by the government institu- ing war on Judaism. Nevertheless,

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Sharon had no problem making Shinui Mazuz made it clear to state prosecutors The report clearly points out that a key member of his coalition. In the in public remarks that they were to treat the phrase “ideological crime” United States, a party with a Shinui non-violent protesters as if they were (“avaryanut ideologit”) pops up again agenda would most likely be labeled involved in a rebellion against State and again in court decisions regarding anti-Semitic and would probably never authorities with the purpose of destroy- opponents of the disengagement. make it onto a ballot. The Anti- ing the State and its institutions. Not The picture that emerges from the Defamation League and the American only were the protestors’ democratic report is that the government allowed its Civil Liberties Union would see to that. rights to non-violently demonstrate judicial arm to pass judgment against Moreover, every Orthodox Union con- taken away from them, but the protest- protestors based on their ideology and gregation would be up in arms. In ers were classified as rebels out to beliefs and not based on human rights Israel, a platform that espouses disdain destroy the State of Israel. A very harsh and rule of law. for observant Jews and Jewish practice is judicial precedent indeed against the Gary Rosenblatt, editor of New given full credibility while right-wing (mostly) teenagers of the religious/settler York’s Jewish Week, wrote: religious parties that dare to dream of a establishment. Reading the report on the govern- Jewish state within what they under- The report states: ment’s alleged violation of the disengage- stand to be the Divine mandates as By choosing to reclassify nonviolent ment opponents’ civil rights is a sad and expressed in the Torah, are ostracized, offenses such as blocking roads and passive- painful exercise for anyone who values marginalized and even banned. ly resisting arrest—usually considered mis- Israel’s reputation as an outstanding Unfortunately, the successful exe- demeanors—as crimes against public secu- democracy.1 cution of the expulsion plan is a strong rity, and by invoking what the accused Furthermore, in a second report, indication that many of the official thought while performing them, Israeli Dr. Avital Molad, of the Israel Public institutions of the State of Israel are courts justified draconian measures of pre- Defender’s Office, wrote that she saw in “anti-Jewish.” This is apparent not trial detention against adults and minors the police and in the court system “a because the State of Israel decided to selective enforcement of the law based expel Jews from areas that many believe on political affiliation, trampled rights to be within Biblical Israel or because it The Palestinians, and a light trigger finger.”2 Dr. Molad decided to give over parts of the Land who have waged an also found that for the sake of the disen- to our enemies. Rather this is apparent ongoing terror war gagement the State created “new rules,” in the ways the State of Israel dealt with against our society, under which hearings for minors were those who disagreed with its decision to are our peace part- conducted collectively, rather than sepa- expel fellow Jews from their homes. ners, while the rately. Israel, like America, cherishes the visionaries and ide- Neither report received much basic democratic rights of its citizens, alists within the publicity and so there was not much of including the right to free speech and “settler” population a public reaction in Israel. (The role the the right to peaceful assembly. Yet, these are the “obstacles to Israeli media played in making the dis- democratic rights were trampled by the peace.” engagement happen was the subject of State of Israel when it dealt with the an extensive article in the anti-expulsion protestors, or the “ketu- September/October issue of the mim,” (literally, oranges—orange was alike. In the case of three minors detained Columbia Journalism Review.) the color worn by those protesting the for lengthy periods of time, summarized Statements by high-ranking government disengagement) as we were called. below, the presumed ideological tendency officials often reflected this same atti- Furthermore, the rules of proper judicial of the minors’ parents was used as justifica- tude of intolerance. Yair Lapid, Tommy procedure and punishment were tram- tion for refusing to return the minors to Lapid’s son, was quoted as saying that pled on as well by the justice system their parents’ custody. The conflation of the he is not afraid of a civil war in Israel when it came to the anti-expulsion pro- parents’ presumed ideology with their evi- because the settlers are not “our” broth- testors. dent religious lifestyle is hard to miss. ers.3 And Knesset Member Ephraim This is explained very clearly in a The report cites a number of Sneh, in an interview with the Israeli report issued by the Israel Policy cases. In one, the prosecution wanted to daily Maariv, called for a civil war Center, and sponsored, in part, by the arrest a group of girls prior to their trial against Religious Zionists. Using the OU, called Israeli Government in order to “prevent them from making American Civil War as a precedent, Violations of Disengagement Opponents’ their dangerous opinions heard, even Sneh wrote: Civil Rights (for the full report, visit inside their own homes”; it also argued Eighty-five years after its establish- www.merkazmedini.org). The report that “reeducation could be an appropri- ment, the United States of America was reveals that Attorney General Menahem ate reason for restricting their freedom.” drawn into a cruel and destructive civil

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war, but the results of that war formed the from its religious fuel is the real disengage- (and not the Palestinian people), they democratic character of the giant country. ment currently on the agenda. On the day have made the Religious Right an The confrontation among [Israelis] is also after the disengagement, Religious enemy of the state. The Palestinians, unpreventable.4 Zionism’s status will be different. who have waged an ongoing war against A similar sentiment was expressed The editorial went on to castigate our society, are our “peace partners,” publicly by Ami Ayalon, a former head Religious Zionism as “a Trojan horse while the visionaries and idealists within of Shabak, the Israeli counter-intelli- that has infiltrated Zionism in order to the “settler” population are the “obsta- gence and internal security service, and destroy it from within.” cles to peace.” until recently, a contender for the Labor The Council of Jewish Israeli government institutions Party leadership, when he said that “it is Settlements in Yehudah, Shomron and have a vested interest in preventing the about time for Israel to have another Gaza, which organized the campaign truth of their anti-religious agenda from Altalena.” against the expulsion plan, was unable being revealed. There is clearly a plan Caroline Glick, a columnist for to find a public relations firm willing to for further massive expulsions that will The Jerusalem Post, summed up the situ- take it on as a client. Its leaders were make Gaza look like a drop in the buck- ation in the following way: told time after time by public rela- et. But if the Israeli government couldn’t get it right for 10,000 people after eighteen months of planning, how can it expect to get it right for 50,000 or 100,000 expellees? So it covers-up or downplays the reality—after all, the expulsion went smoothly, soldiers and residents cried in each other’s arms, everything is fine! But it wasn’t fine, and it still isn’t fine. Just ask the Jews whose vibrant communities were destroyed or those who are living in Ir Ha’emunah, or Yad Mordechai, or Nitzan or in hotels without any permanent housing solution in sight. How is the committed Orthodox community supposed to act vis-a-vis the State of Israel now that we know the truth? Are we exempt from learning from what happened and from adopting Policemen arrest an anti-disengagement protester who tried to block the road at the entrance to a new action plan for our community Jerusalem. Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski vis-a-vis the State of Israel? A specific answer will not be found in this article, In the year and a half which preced- tions executives that working with “the but these questions must be the basis for ed the implementation of Prime Minister settlers” would wreck their reputations. further introspection and soul-searching Ariel Sharon’s withdrawal and expulsion These reports allow us to see that within our community. plan from the Gaza Strip and northern a governmental, judicial and media war Relying on official government Samaria, the leftist elites in Israel waged was waged against the mostly religious press releases and the media regarding an unrelenting cultural war against the anti-expulsion protestors, as if they were the situation in Israel and the expulsion Israeli Right generally and against religious the biggest threat to the stability of the plan (and its outcomes) has left most of Zionists specifically. Religious Zionists were State of Israel. Many Religious Zionists, world Jewry believing half-truths and portrayed by the media, by entertainment who once viewed themselves as modern- PR spin. Brothers who care must make icons, by Sharon’s advisers, and by his day Israeli pioneers who claimed the sure they really understand the plight of political allies on the Left as blood-crazed idealistic activism that once belonged to their fellow brethren in order to then zealots, parasites, and the single largest Labor Zionism, now find themselves act accordingly. danger to Israel’s well-being.5 branded as the existential enemies of the The Land of Israel is our home- As the months dragged on, the State of Israel. Even while the Israeli land, and the State of Israel is the offi- attacks against religious Israelis intensi- political and judicial bodies have adopt- cial institution that allows us to fulfill fied. In July, Haaretz editorialized: ed the view that the conflict with the the two-thousand-year-old dreams— The disengagement of Israeli policy Arabs is between Israel and “terrorists” “Vetechezenah eineinu beshuvcha leTzion

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berachamim, May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in compassion” and “Vehavienu leshalom mearba kanfot ha’aretz, ADVERTORIAL Bring us in peacefulness from the four corners of the earth.” In order to steer the State of Israel in the right direction, as The Personal Touch part of the redemption process, we must fully understand the A Judaica Gallery by I-deas! 23 Ben Yehuda Street (corner of King George) reality of what the State of Israel is today. The ideal solution is that committed American “Inspiring!” “Exhilarating!” Orthodox Jews should be making aliyah. Israel is the only “A positively enjoyable shopping experience!” place where you can truly make a difference! Until that These are just a few of the accolades showered upon David Hersh, time, it behooves the Orthodox world to seek the truth and Yaakov Kessler and Aryeh Weil by customers and visitors who fre- strive in whatever ways it can to fulfill God’s promise to quent their new gallery on the corner of Ben Yehuda and King Avraham: “To you and your descendents I have given this George Streets in Jerusalem. JA Land … to be a light unto the nations.” “We did not want to replicate what is currently available on the street, so we cherry pick from a variety of artists and crafts persons,” says Notes Kessler. “We try to focus on Judaica, jewelry and artists with a story.” 1. “A Sad Chapter for Israeli Justice,” 25 November The gallery features fine art by Myra Mandel, Jordana Klein and 2005. Devora Bloch; paper cuts by Michel Patish; photographs on canvas by 2. See “Abusive Policemen, Biased Judges,” Haaretz, 24 Yaacov Rabinowitz and Eugene Weisberg; painted glass by “One of a November 2005. Kind” as well as a stunning variety of sterling silver, ceramics and hand 3. Quoted by Caroline Glick, “Avoiding Israel’s Self- crafted jewelry. Many of the products are produced by immigrants from the United States, Canada, Australia, France and South Africa. Destruction,” Jewish World Review, 10 January 2005. 4. Quoted by Caroline Glick, “The Scarlet Letter,” The Visit the gallery in Jerusalem or shop online Jerusalem Post, 5 November 2005. at www.i-deas.co.il. 5. “The Scarlet Letter,” 5 November 2005.

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hat prompted the disengagement— expel the Jews from Gaza. security considerations, improving The ultra-secular left-wing parties that gave TLA prospects for peace, diverting attention Sharon a political umbrella did so not because they

A W from possible corruption charges or the desire to agreed with his corruption but rather because they break up Religious Zionist communal life and were willing to overlook it to achieve their policy undermine the Religious Zionist spirit? goals. One of these goals is to break the spirit of the Clearly, the disengagement/expulsion plan was Religious Zionist public who is, by definition, the not prompted by security considerations. When the ideological enemy. We are in a struggle for Israel’s Labor Party candidate Amram Mitzna ran on a plat- Jewish soul, and the post-Zionist secularist left-wing DIDYA DIDYA form calling for a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza minority is trying its best to stay in power and dom- E in the previous election, it was Likud candidate Ariel inate the direction and character of the State of Y Sharon who attacked the plan, basing his opposition Israel—not as a Jewish state. This was the basis of on valid security arguments. When Sharon, for his their support for Sharon. own purposes, suddenly made a 180-degree turn- What will be the short- and long-term effects about, his newly declared Gaza policy was openly of the disengagement on Religious Zionism’s atti- opposed by those directly responsible for Israel’s tude toward the State? Toward the army? security: the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Those who persist in trying to break the spirit General Moshe Ya’alon and Director of Israel’s of the Religious Zionist public failed and will con- General Security Services Avi Dichter. Sharon subse- tinue to fail in their crusade to cause Religious quently fired both of these gentlemen prior to the Zionists to disassociate from the State and its expulsion despite their success in fighting the war organs, such as the army. Hence, despite the justi- against terror. Moreover, all those who opposed the fied anger of many at the unwarranted and deliber- “Sharon Plan” as being detrimental to Israel’s securi- ate persecution by the Sharon regime, the over- ty have already been proven correct. While I am not whelming majority understands that to disassociate addressing the security problems of the Gaza with- itself is to give the Left a victory. drawal, it is suffice to note that the Kassam rockets After graduating from high school this past continue to rain down upon Israeli civilian towns year, my son and many others like him undertook and villages—from Netivot to Ashkelon—and sui- grueling physical and psychological tests to gain cide/homicide bombers continue to be sent from acceptance into some of the IDF’s most elite combat secure Palestinian Authority bases. units. After the tragedy in Gush Katif, my son, filled It was known initially, and has been subse- with justifiable anger, expressed reservations about quently documented by even leading left-leaning his upcoming induction into an elite unit. I told investigative journalists (see e.g., Boomerang: The him that his reaction was exactly what the post- Failure of Leadership in the Second Intifada by Ofer Zionist secular Left wanted—for young religious Shelah and Raviv Drucker [Jerusalem, 2005] in men not to be part of such units, not to become which three of the twenty-eight chapters are devoted officers, advance and ultimately change the military to this topic), that the “Sharon Plan” was introduced and give it a more Jewish mindset. If he didn’t go, to divert attention from corruption charges, and in they will win, I told him. He, like many of his fact cause the attorney general to bury recommend- friends, understands. They are still entering the most ed indictments against Sharon and his sons. elite units with a sense of mesirut nefesh—self-sacri- Tactically it worked. Everyone knows it’s true, but in fice. They won’t let the expellers win. the words of one top leftist Israeli investigative jour- In the short term, we can expect this struggle nalist, “The media must protect Sharon [read: cover for Israel’s soul to intensify. In the long term, we will up for Sharon] like a rabbi protects his etrog before win. We have a deep and unshakable faith in the Sukkot” so he will carry out the Left’s policy and Almighty and His promises. We have many more Rabbi Atlas is a senior correspondent and commentator for children (so ultimately we will be a majority), and Arutz 7 Israel National News. He is a major in the IDF we know that we will undergo difficult times in the reserves, serving as an army rabbi in a combat brigade. A pre-redemption period, which we must withstand resident of Beit El, he is married and has seven children and (see Sanhedrin 98a and b). one grandchild. Has the long-standing alliance between secu-

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lar and religious Jewry in Israel been Chareidim are far more Zionist-oriented Sharon a political fig leaf at a time when irreparably damaged as a result of the than their elders, and they are more he planned to forcibly expel Jews from disengagement? politically active than generally assumed. their homes and destroy synagogues and No, I don’t think so. Let’s not for- The number of Knesset seats for the yeshivot—was not a popular move on get that Sharon was elected in the previ- Ashkenazic Chareidi parties has consis- the Chareidi street. And then Sharon ous election by the greatest majority in tently stayed at five. Yet the Chareidi carried out his plan with the practical Israel’s electoral history when he population growth should have given political acquiescence of the Chareidim. opposed the very policy he subsequently them more than double that number. This is going to cost the Chareidim in adopted. The majority of the country This is not the case because many of the the upcoming election. still perceives itself as being one nation. younger Chareidim vote for other par- Can the current split within the What has changed in my opinion is the ties such as National Union and even Religious Zionist movement be fact that young Religious Zionists cer- Likud. This is a political fact that pre- bridged? Can those who will “not for- tainly, and many of their elders, have ceded the expulsion. The Chareidi pub- give and not forget” be reconciled with now switched mental gears and no lic came to political maturity as a result those who seem ready to adapt to the longer see themselves as subordinate to of the 1996 elections between Binyamin disengagement? Can the bitterness and the secular political leadership. These Netanyahu and Shimon Peres. trauma engendered by the disengage- individuals view themselves as being no Therefore, it is no surprise that ment ever be overcome? less, and perhaps more, suitable for there is an ongoing relationship between I don’t accept that there is an actu- national leadership. This is clearly a younger Chareidi elements and the al split, per se. I don’t believe there is healthier and less galut-like mindset Religious Zionist public, particularly the anyone from the Religious Zionist camp than the one that permeated the growing Chardal, or Chareidi-Leumi who is sanguine about the disengage- Religious Zionist political leadership for (nationalist Chareidi) public. Anyone ment and its ramifications. I think that many decades. who attended the mass prayer rally at most people realize the issue is not over.

Religious Zionist youth are still entering the most elite IDF units. Photo: www.sassontiram.com

Were ordinary Chareidi Jews the Kotel in the days prior to the expul- I can’t imagine that anyone can forget more sympathetic to the plight of the sion, for example, saw the vast Chareidi what has happened and what is still uprooted than were their political lead- cooperation with the Religious Zionist happening. Thus, there are differing ers? If so, what effect will this have on public. approaches to the question of whether the relationship between Chareidi and Moreover, it is clear that the or not to cooperate with the organs of Religious Zionist Jews? Ashkenazic Chareidi party’s joining of the State, and on what level. I think the young to middle-aged the Sharon government—which gave Continuing to serve in the IDF and in

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reserves and enlisting in elite combat units, for example, are essarily thrilled with the government’s behavior, but they are in dispute to some degree. Not a few people, particularly the simply not making an issue of their differences so as not to youth who were in the forefront of mesirut nefesh activity to give the authorities an excuse to not cooperate with them. save Gush Katif as well as the refugee children of Gush Katif, As to the ill feelings towards certain Religious Zionist still look at the army and the police with justifiable suspicion figures for their behavior and statements that contributed in and concern. This leads to a certain stepping away to reevalu- one way or another to the success of the Sharon government’s ate the relationship between these State expulsion policy, this will, for the most organs and the very youth who were, part, be forgiven in time. Few really and are, considered the cream of the We are in a struggle believe that any Religious Zionist figure crop. Nonetheless, most of our youth for Israel’s Jewish who took a foolish position did so out of understand the ramifications of not serv- soul, and the post- malice. Naiveté is an unfortunate mala- ing in the army. It gives those who Zionist secularist dy of many well-meaning people. oppose us a victory. This is exactly what left-wing minority is However, the incapability of many they want. of these leading figures, including Moreover, the overwhelming trying its best to prominent rabbis, to grasp the evil of majority of the people, while neither for- stay in power and some of our political leadership—both giving nor forgetting those directly dominate the direc- today and during the ongoing persecu- responsible for this self-inflicted national tion and character of tion of those who actively opposed the tragedy, make a clear distinction the State of Israel. expulsion—still boggles the mind. It was between the State of Israel and its inher- excusable prior to the fact, when it was ent sanctity, and a government that still difficult to comprehend to what acted in a deliberately evil manner and clearly has no sanctity. lengths Sharon and his cohorts would go to carry out their To disassociate would serve no purpose to those who don’t evil and undemocratic decree. But today, when their method forgive and don’t forget. No one really wants to forgive, espe- of operation is clear, when their future plans are openly cially since it’s not over. Those who continue to cooperate declared, this incapability cannot be explained by naiveté. It with the government authorities on various levels are not nec- appears to be more a case of blindness, a fear perhaps, of facing reality and acting accordingly. But one result is that these public figures will have significantly less weight with the Religious Zionist public. So while I don’t dismiss the differences, I wouldn’t take the so-called “split” between elements of the Religious Zionist public all that seriously in the long term. The real split taking place is between the Religious Zionist, Chareidi and traditional Zionist public on the one hand—who are in fact the majority of the country—and the hard-core ultra-secular post-Zionist leftist minority. This doctrinaire minority uses its power to cow its ideological opposition with utter ruthlessness and impose its will upon a quasi-helpless majority. I say quasi-helpless because ultimately the majority will win. Unquestionably, we have suffered a setback that requires us to be more committed and more active, to work harder in the many areas in which we did not invest suffi- cient resources and energies. It requires us to learn from our mistakes—and we made them—and to go on to fight for what we believe in. We, like Rabbi Akiva who laughed when his compatriots cried at the sight of the Second Temple’s destruction (Makkot 24b), must believe that even if we don’t understand life’s difficulties, we must accept them with love for God and have faith that ultimately the Prophecy will be fulfilled. Then, in the framework of the rules of This World, we try our best to do the right thing and overcome the challenges we face, in accordance with our emunah in Hashem and in the derech HaTorah. JA

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YUVAL CHERLOW

Translated from the Hebrew by David Louvish

f I had to teach the meaning of and, in general, of rejecting the rule of truth, I am sorry to say, is simpler: A postmodernism—in particular, to law. We, for our part, have seen the life large part of the public would like to I explain the meaning of a subjective work of hundreds of families, in fact, of remove the subject of security from the narrative—perhaps there would be no an entire community, destroyed, but the agenda. The Israeli public, having no better illustration of the entire theory “others” see us as the destructive confidence in the Arabs and in agree- than the events of the disengagement. party—we have destroyed two genera- ments with them, has accepted a unilat- In Israel today we hear two utterly dif- tions of Israelis, for it was our fault that eral plan with its own logic. A majority ferent narratives of the destruction of Israel became involved in settling Judea, of people believe that the plan meets all Gush Katif. The facts behind the two Samaria and Gaza and has ruled over of the criteria of legal government. It narratives are essentially the same, and the Palestinians for thirty-five allegedly was approved by the government, the that is precisely why the discrepancy is superfluous years. courts and the Knesset, with the unfor- so striking. The difference is already evi- These two narratives are the real tunate result that the plan was well dent in the name: We Religious Zionists threat to the State of Israel. That each received by the general public. As far as call what happened “destruction,” side is immersed in its own narrative, these Israelis are concerned, the various “expulsion,” “uprooting” and “racist without understanding that of the other hitches in the process—violation of the transfer”; an absolute majority of the side, clearly heralds an imminent rup- treaty between voter and candidate, dis- secular public, however, refer to it as ture. That being said, let me begin with missal of government ministers, refusal “disengagement.” We regard the expul- an attempt to understand the narrative to hold a referendum, et cetera—were sion as a traumatic event, whose rever- of the Israeli public as I understand it. simply part and parcel of the political berations will never be forgotten or for- Unfortunately, an absolute majority of game; our opponents have in fact given, while for the other sector, it was the Israeli people are sick and tired of argued that the settlements themselves an insignificant event, no longer on the the question of Judea and Samaria. If were originally established by the very agenda. We see it as an act of dictator- elections in Israel were personal, and same methods, and we expressed no ship, tantamount to usurpation of gov- one of the candidates were to announce opposition at the time. The same man, ernment by corrupt, underhand means, a platform of secure and recognized Ariel Sharon, has thus worked in exactly but an entire sector of the public sees it international boundaries with a firm the same way to destroy the settlements as a legal, democratic act—perhaps Jewish majority, he or she would win an as he did to build them. rather crooked, but such are the ways of absolute majority. If, as part of a pack- We tried to fight this position in a democracy. We feel that our dispropor- age deal, a constitution were proposed variety of ways. We first tried the ideo- tionate contribution to the army and that defined Israel as a democratic logical path, citing rulings that prohibit- elsewhere has gone unrecognized and Jewish state but gave relatively little ed the surrender of parts of Eretz Yisrael has earned us no gratitude, whereas the practical weight to the term “Jew,” it to non-Jews, and publicly condemning “others” feel that we have trampled would receive almost all of the secular the plan as the collapse of Zionism. We everything that they value and hold votes. went on—too late—with an attempt to sacred. They accuse us of having reject- Accordingly, it cannot be argued describe the ratification of the plan as ed the legislative and executive authority that public support for the disengage- seriously flawed from a democratic of the State and of refusing to obey its ment was dishonestly procured by the standpoint; our arguments had little orders; of dismissing the authority of government with the sole purpose of credibility, however, because we had the judiciary and considering the jus- diverting public attention from corrup- refused from the start to accept a demo- tices of the Supreme Court as unfair; of tion, or that the government is bent on cratic decision, on the grounds that spurning the holy of holies—the destroying Religious Zionism. Of halachic authority overrules democracy, army—and calling for insubordination course, the plan undoubtedly had some and so our “democratic” arguments did Rabbi Cherlow is rosh yeshivah of Yeshivat hidden motives and was not unrelated not sound very sincere. Subsequently, Petach Tikva. to government corruption; but the we committed an unforgivable sin in

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the eyes of most Israelis: We directed behavior in the context of the disen- er its rightful image—not by fighting it, the anti-disengagement campaign gagement. My purpose in this article, but from within. against the army—whether by trying to however, is to examine how Religious Our attitude toward the army undermine it from within by calling for Zionism should conduct itself within warrants particular attention. On the soldiers to refuse to obey orders, or by the maelstrom; I will therefore concen- periphery of the camp we hear of trying to prevent implementation of the trate on that aspect. dozens of isolated phenomena, admit- plan by dispatching tens of thousands of From its very beginnings, tedly minor but nevertheless worrisome: people to Gush Katif. The dreadful plan Religious Zionism adopted a policy of a petition of Torah scholars against mili- finally went through without anyone cooperation with the Jewish collective as tary service; refusal to give soldiers who being physically harmed—largely thanks took part in the eviction a lift or to to the efforts of the rabbinical and spiri- count them as part of a minyan in tual leadership—but at the cost of a It cannot be argued Me’arat Hamachpelah; settlers coming great deal of psychological harm. As I that public support home on leave who take off their uni- write, hundreds of families are still in for the disengagement forms before entering their settlements; limbo, unemployed and humiliated; the refusal to date soldiers who participated State of Israel, which planned the was dishonestly pro- in the disengagement and so on. The destruction so perfectly, failed to prepare cured by the govern- problem is not these particular incidents what was necessary to rebuild, and has ment with the sole in themselves, but the fact that they abandoned these people to their fate. purpose of diverting derive from two general phenomena. I have already said that our view First, a great many people no longer of what has happened is utterly different public attention from refer to the army as Tzahal, “the Israel from that of the majority of secular Jews corruption, or that Defense Forces,” but call it “the army of in Israel. We describe the disengagement the government is eviction,” “The Sharon family army” or as the collapse of Zionism, continuing bent on destroying the like. Second, the official calendar of with further collapse, namely, the aban- Religious Zionism. Moetzet Yesha (the Yesha Council) fea- donment of the Land of Israel and the tures the declaration “We shall neither destruction of the settlement endeavor. forgive nor forget,” referring, among The disengagement and its outcome are other things, to the army. All this reveals morally disgraceful, both because of the a whole in the foundation of a Jewish continued internalization of hostility destruction of Gush Katif and Northern state, out of the conviction that it toward the army. We seem to be persist- Shomron and the eviction of people would ultimately lead to the complete ing in making the worst mistake of the from their homes and because of the realization of the Torah’s vision of “a anti-disengagement campaign: directing State’s failure to care for the needs of the kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” the struggle specifically against the army. evacuees. In terms of national security Accordingly, an absolute majority of It is now clear that Religious the disengagement was enormously dan- Religious Zionists maintain a connec- Zionism needs to establish stronger ties gerous. In terms of democracy it was a tion with the State of Israel and its insti- with additional sectors in the nation. failure, signaling a loss of confidence in tutions. An absolute majority of Surely it seems most natural to foster a the rule of law; and it had many other Religious Zionists continue to serve in stronger bond with the Chareidi world. flaws. the army, to pray for the welfare of the Such a bond seems to be vital, and it I have much to say about the State, to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut and might be thought easier to achieve since restitution that the State of Israel must to participate in all the State institu- the Chareidi public, somewhat unlike its make and about the terrible failure of tions. This connection has indeed suf- leaders, has always evinced strong sup- the legal and social systems represented fered a severe blow, leaving no few scars, port for the settlers of Gush Katif and by the disengagement plan. The plan but the overall power of the Religious Northern Shomron. Nevertheless, the has uncovered a great deal of hypocrisy Zionist vision has not been destroyed. matter is not so simple, and I doubt on the part of many self-styled champi- On the contrary, an absolute majority of whether it will be possible at all, for two ons of democracy who—since the cor- Religious Zionists are convinced that reasons. The first is Chareidi anger at ruption of the democratic process was now is the time to invest more in the Religious Zionism. Religious Zionism in line with their leftist political out- various spheres of public activity and stood on the sidelines and was in fact look—were silent and made no protest. imbue them with the message of part of a coalition government—Likud, Those who have called for Religious Religious Zionism. The relatively high Shinui, National Religious Party and Zionism to engage in soul-searching birthrate of the religious sector justifies National Union—whose economic poli- refuse to practice what they preach, to the optimistic hope that the State of cies severely injured the Chareidi com- take a hard look at their own shameful Israel may be shaped in what we consid- munity by drastically reducing child

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allowances and by abolishing the again that Religious Zionism has never women’s status in general and much Ministry of Religious Affairs. The sec- considered itself obligated to obey the more. Rabbinical differences concern ond reason, however, is paramount: A rabbis. For that reason, attempts by var- the appropriate political language—does large part of the Chareidi world does ious parties to issue binding halachic the political have to reflect the ideologi- not recognize Religious Zionism at all as directives—instructing soldiers to obey cal? Or is politics a question of “fair a legitimate denomination. Shamefully, or disobey orders, advising the settlers of arrangements,” implying that political many Chareidim ignore the entire language requires a fair compromise in Religious Zionist Torah world, even the interest of national unity? They con- omitting the name of Rav Avraham The disengagement and cern the field of Torah—how should the Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, z”l, from its outcome are moral- status of the rabbi in Israel be struc- books that should include it; because of ly disgraceful, both tured? To what degree should the Torah these reasons, a renewed bond between because of the inform political positions? To what Religious Zionists and Chareidim will degree does it dictate a definite position be very hard to achieve. destruction of Gush on such questions? And so on. The divi- The disengagement also clearly Katif and Northern sions have also infiltrated sociological revealed the yawning gap in ideological Shomron and the evic- issues: There are three different outlook between the secular elite and tion of people from Religious Zionist youth movements and Religious Zionists, due to their utterly their homes and a host of educational systems; nuances different cultural understandings of life, because of the State’s of religious observance are a significant mission, the importance of nationalism, factor in dating and matchmaking; sanctity and ideals. The gap may be failure to care for the there are different periodicals, parties, et unbridgeable. Nevertheless, despite the needs of the evacuees. cetera, each of which refers to the State differences, most of the public would of Israel in different terms. On the other like somehow to preserve a Jewish iden- hand, there is a basic ethos, which in tity and to strengthen Zionism. Real principle relates favorably to the idea of connections may, I believe, be forged Gush Katif to pack up their belongings the State of Israel, and an absolute with the public at large. To that end, or not to do so or elaborating on the majority still join the army and serve in Religious Zionism will of course have to halachic permissibility of handing over it. extend its fields of activity in several parts of Eretz Yisrael to the Arabs— Beyond ideological positions, directions and to devote itself fully to were doomed from the start. The only Religious Zionism possesses a central social questions; such a course of action, effective rabbinical leadership was pro- positive feature, which is a major source if successful, would be beneficial to both vided by those rabbis who were physi- of optimism. The struggle against the sectors. cally present in Gush Katif and disengagement revealed the tremendous All of these admittedly important Northern Shomron. While those leaders energies at the command of Religious tasks find Religious Zionism in the were fortunately in contact with the Zionism—a powerhouse of strength, throes of a profound crisis. The crisis greatest rabbis, their activities were not faith, determination, devotion and other began before the disengagement, as a governed by any absolute commitment qualities, attesting to the spiritual result of a great number of new ques- to them; their authority derived from resilience of Religious Zionists. Even tions that have come up about femi- their actual presence “on the spot.” The most of Religious Zionism’s opponents nism, rabbinical authority, the relation- divisions in the rabbinical world only in Israeli society could not hide their ship between the Torah and the aca- served to emphasize the unique attitude profound admiration for its conduct, demic world and methods of Torah of Religious Zionism to that world: ranging from the exemplary behavior at study. Indeed, the disengagement inten- Religious Zionists consider us, the rab- Kfar Maimon (the community right sified the crisis and brought it to new bis, as just one source of leadership and outside of Gush Katif where several peaks. Today, moreover, the Religious advice; rabbinical authority exercises thousands of Jews gathered to peacefully Zionist world recognizes no single focus considerable, but not decisive, influence. protest the disengagement) to the fact of Torah and spiritual leadership. Rabbinical differences and divi- that, in the end, there were no Jewish Religious Zionism has never acknowl- sions not only reflect the enormous casualties (we should by no means edged a binding rabbinical authority. It diversity of Religious Zionism, which in ignore the two murderous acts perpe- is deeply committed to the rabbinical a sense constitutes a threat to its exis- trated against Arabs). These energies are world, but has never been committed to tence as a movement, but they concern the main guarantee of our ability to face one single authority. Attempts to do so all levels of life: Attitudes toward the the future. Everyone agrees that the dis- have repeatedly met with failure, and personal lifestyles of Israelis, culture, engagement was merely the first step, the disengagement merely proved once academic studies, mixed society, and that we shall probably have to face

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no less difficult challenges in the future. ments. First, secular society has been condemned as being utterly unrealistic, At this point, it is difficult to predict the exposed in all its bankruptcy and cal- and the very possibility of gaining con- course of those future struggles, whether lousness; it is collapsing, and so it is trol by segregating oneself from society our actions will be guided by our truth pointless to seek any cooperation; secu- has been discounted; in addition, its in every possible way or whether we will lar society deserves the bleak future that basic assumptions concerning the bow to the dictates of democracy, pro- it has brought upon itself. The second numerical strength of Religious Zionism vided only that its own rules are obeyed. reason is the positive side of this evalua- and Chareidi Judaism have been brand- There is a great danger that some adher- tion: It is the task of Religious Zionism ed as unscientific. Moreover, the argu- ents of Religious Zionism, looking at to seize power, to sweep away decadent ment that we possess the requisite the failure of the anti-disengagement culture, corruption and evil; this will be knowledge and ability to lead the nation campaign, will conclude that nothing achieved by withdrawing into ourselves is nothing but childish arrogance and can be accomplished by peaceful means, to build up an absolute alternative to repulsive pride. But the principal opposition to the plan is ideological- ly motivated. Religious Zionism believes in principle in the need to connect with Klal Yisrael, to act together with, not against or in confrontation with, the nation as a whole. The energies of which we spoke should be directed, therefore, into quite different channels. They should be exploited in the interests of greater involvement in Israeli society, public life and the army, and in deeper penetra- tion into the worlds of communications and culture; and, of course, they should be uti- lized to find additional ways of serving God and expressing one’s devotion to Him. These As of December 2005, more than half of the Gaza expellees were still living in cramped hotel rooms. are all worthy goals for the Photo: www.sassontiram.com strengths that Zionism has demonstrated. that active violence will be necessary. Israeli democracy. Such an alternative Moreover, there is no doubt that This is the great danger at our doorstep, will be based on the authority of the the weight attached to socio-economic but I would like to argue that this is not Torah—not on an authority operating problems in Israel is now on the rise, the main issue at stake; there is a more along secular lines—on the cultural val- transforming the public agenda in this important issue to be debated. ues of the Torah and not of world cul- country. Questions of security and set- The principal existential question ture and on absolute loyalty to Eretz tlement are gradually giving way to such facing Religious Zionism today is where Yisrael. This course of action places its issues as social justice, government to direct its enormous stores of energy, hopes in the Religious Zionist/Chareidi integrity, a just distribution of capital, et which could well flow into destructive womb, since these sectors are in favor of cetera. The considerable energies of channels. Anger and frustration may large families—far in excess of the Israeli Religious Zionism need to be directed invite a constant erosion of the positive average; within twenty years, the reli- toward these issues—not only because connections forged with Israeli society. gious community is expected to consti- they are the most pressing questions (it Such calls for deliberate “disengage- tute a majority of the Jewish population is our duty, after all, to ensure the rele- ment” on our part have already been of Israel, and it will then be able to vance of our Torah message), but also heard—disengagement from the State of assume power and completely transform because they are in fact the central issues Israel, from Israeli society and from gen- the State of Israel. dealt with by the Torah. We have been eral culture. Advocates of such a course Many, however, are very much taught that Avraham Avinu’s mission base their reasoning on two main argu- opposed to this position. It has been was to “keep the way of God by doing

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what is just and right…” (Bereishit 18:19). An essential part of the commandments of the Torah is concerned with “repairing” society, perfecting the world through social action and matters pertaining to interpersonal conduct (bein adam lechaveiro). Moreover, the prophets frequently preached the precedence of social justice and the repairing of society over the sacrificial rites and other commandments governing the relationship between human beings and God—without, of L course, exempting us from the obligation to observe such commandments. Our tremendous energies should therefore be channeled into that vast field of activity, thereby also bringing the State of Israel closer to its proper image as a Jewish state. This will enable us to reconnect with wider circles of Zionist society and advance within our own camp, constantly enhancing our devotion to God’s command by walking in His ways. I believe that Religious Zionism is already embarking on a course of reconstruction and creativity; that it well understands its great mission in the world, the covenant of ideals that it had entered into with Israeli society. I believe that the current storm raging around us will be an inexhaustible source of renewed creativity, of influence upon the Jewish people as a whole. I believe we will be able to make a virtue of necessity, to bring our message to all of Israeli society—the message of tikkun olam, repairing the world through the Kingdom of the Almighty. JA

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MICHAEL FREUND

t the train station, they put us all alike, with stories of miracles and won- when photographs broadcast around the into the railway wagon and ders that he had performed popular world showed Hamas leader Mahmoud A ordered us to lie down on the among both communities. al-Zahar leading an Islamic prayer serv- floor, since Arab rioters had arrived But in 1929, as Moshe and his ice in the abandoned synagogue of Kfar behind us and were stoning the car- family were led away by British troops, Darom?2 riage…. The train began to move, and years of coexistence quickly dissolved as Stories abound about a crisis of after a few kilometers the Jews of Gaza he and his loved ones came under a bar- faith among many who were certain the arose from the floor and then sat down on rage of stones hurled by gleeful Arabs. withdrawal would not—or could not— the benches, accompanied on the train by Adding insult to injury, they taunted come to pass. A friend of mine who was policemen … until they reached the Lod Moshe by shouting “Ya Musa, we in Kfar Darom in the weeks leading up Junction, and from there they continued burned down your store!” to the withdrawal said that not one until Tel Aviv.1 Later, Moshe’s family members family in the entire community had The account above may sound recalled how attempts to soothe his taken down a single picture or packed a chillingly familiar to anyone who wit- shock and pain proved fruitless, and the bag in anticipation of the retreat, so nessed the expulsion from Gush Katif in entire incident disturbed Moshe greatly strong was their faith that a miracle August 2005, when Prime Minister for many years afterward. would occur. Ariel Sharon unilaterally withdrew from It is worth recalling the events of But, as we know, that miracle did Gaza and compelled the area’s Jews to 1929, however briefly, because doing so not occur, and many are now left to leave their homes. will help, at least in part, to confront grapple with questions and uncertainty. In fact, though, it is an eyewitness the seminal questions now being debat- That, however, is precisely where description of a previous calamity, dat- ed regarding the impact of the Gaza 1929 comes into play. Because then, as ing back to 1929, when rioting Arabs withdrawal on the future of Religious now, the dream of building a Jewish led British Mandatory authorities to Zionism. community amidst the sand dunes of evacuate the entire Jewish community One thing is clear: The trauma of Gaza ended prematurely. But just as from Gaza, bringing to an end yet this past summer’s retreat from Gush those pioneers did not give up hope, another attempt to rebuild Jewish life in Katif has left deep scars on Israeli socie- neither can we. the area. ty, and as we try to come to grips with After all, as the events of 1929 The speaker is Moshe Elkayam, a its meaning and significance, it is diffi- demonstrate, the withdrawal from Gush member of a prominent family that had cult to contain the emotions stirring Katif is hardly the first setback that the played a leading role in reviving Gaza’s beneath the surface. Jewish people have suffered in our long Jewish presence. Over the years, the There can be no denying the fact and sometimes torturous return to Elkayams had developed close friend- that in the short term, the withdrawal Zion, and it is almost certainly not the ships with many of their Arab neigh- from Gaza was a painful blow to last. Every ideological movement bors, and often provided them with Religious Zionism. To see the Israel inevitably encounters stumbling blocks assistance, advice and support. Indeed, Defense Forces deployed against the cit- and impediments on the road to reach- Chacham Nissim Elkayam, the head of izens of their own state, with the express ing its goals, and in this respect the family, was a respected religious fig- purpose not of defending the Jewish Religious Zionism is no exception. The ure, looked up to by Jew and non-Jew people but of exiling them from parts of real test of a movement’s strength lies their homeland, was a shocking and not in whether it can avoid such diffi- Mr. Freund, a native of New York who made unthinkable sight. culties, but in its ability to get up after a aliyah, served as deputy director of policy plan- “Is this the state that we prayed fall and continue marching forward. ning and communications under former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. He is for?” many began to ask, recoiling in Those who cast doubt on the now chairman of Shavei Israel disbelief that Jews would banish their future of Religious Zionism in the wake (www.shavei.org), a Jerusalem-based group own brothers from their homes. of the Gaza retreat are overlooking a that assists “lost Jews” seeking to return to the And, some wondered, how can we simple yet salient point: Whoever said Jewish people. say that the Final Redemption is near that the road to redemption would be

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one without obstacles? ultimate plan, and far be it from us to of Israel and that it belongs to the As Rabbi Yehoshuah ben Levi assume otherwise. The roads to our past Jewish people by Divine right.9 explains in the Talmud,3 redemption redemptions were often bumpy, and so Nonetheless, Jews have been expelled can indeed come speedily and via super- too is the path we are presently on. from the area seven times in the past natural means, but only if the Jewish And, quite frankly, that is exactly what two millennia. The Roman governor people are worthy. In such a case, God our Sages foresaw. Gabinius threw out Gaza’s Jews in 61 will act to “hasten it.” If, however, we As the Vilna Gaon pointed out CE. Subsequently, they were exiled by are not worthy, then redemption will over two centuries ago, “During the the Crusaders, Napoleon, the Ottoman come “in its time,” meaning slowly and period of the ingathering of the exiles, Turks, Arab rioters in 1929, the through natural means. the sitra achra [the forces of evil] will Egyptian army in 1948 and now, most The uprooting of Gaza’s Jews in become stronger,” and they will exert recently, by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel no way casts into question the validity themselves more forcefully in an effort Sharon. of Religious Zionism or its worldview. to combat Israel’s progress toward Each of these expulsions was cer- Israel’s previous redemptions, from redemption.7 But, warns the Vilna tainly a crisis unto itself, leading many Egyptian bondage and later from the Gaon, we need to bear this in mind to question the future of a Jewish pres- Babylonian Exile, were both replete ahead of time, and be aware, in effect, with setbacks, hindrances and delays, that our efforts to bring about Israel’s but that did not diminish or take away redemption will meet with resistance Those who cast doubt from the redemptive vision guiding the and attempts at obstruction. By doing Jewish people to their inevitable deliver- so, “we will know how to deal with [the on the future of ance. situation] practically … for truth will Religious Zionism in Take, for example, the Exodus give us the strength as we proceed step the wake of the Gaza from Egypt. When God sent Moshe for by step,” and God will aid us in our withdrawal are over- his initial encounter with Paroh to efforts. looking a simple yet demand Israel’s liberation from slavery, This message—that Israel’s Final the immediate result was actually a Redemption will not be pain-free—is salient point: worsening of their situation. The also subtly reinforced throughout a Jew’s Whoever said that the Egyptian monarch increased the Jewish daily existence, as a simple glance at the road to redemption people’s burden, requiring them to Birkat Hamazon reveals. In thanking would be one without obtain their own straw in addition to God for our sustenance, we ask Him to producing their daily quota of bricks.4 “send us Eliyahu HaNavi, who is obstacles? After being set free, the Jews spent remembered for good, and may he three days traveling away from Egypt, bring us good tidings of salvation and but then God instructed them to turn comfort.” ence in the area. Nonetheless, the Jews around and head back toward Egypt.5 According to tradition,8 Eliyahu returned, guided each time by their Several verses later, the Jewish people are will come to inform us of the momen- resilient faith. They rebuilt Jewish Gaza, being chased by the advancing Egyptian tous news of Mashiach’s imminent the land of their ancestors, and we army, only to reach the Red Sea, with arrival, so one wonders why he would should have no doubt that they will do seemingly nowhere to go. need to bring us “comfort” as well. so again in the future, when the situa- The redemption from the Clearly, the answer is that events preced- tion permits.10 Babylonian Exile was no different, as ing his arrival will be such that the It is certainly true that the with- the book of Ezra makes clear. Though Jewish people will need comforting for drawal from Gush Katif revealed a Cyrus granted the Jews permission to all they have suffered on the road to number of fissures among Religious ascend to Jerusalem and rebuild the redemption. Zionists over various ideological and Temple, few chose to answer the call. The fact that all this was foreseen even theological issues, ranging from Then, after construction work on the should serve to strengthen our convic- whether soldiers should follow orders to Temple had finally begun, the tion that Religious Zionism is on the expel Jews from their homes to disputes Samaritans and others succeeded in con- right path. It is only if we wrongly over inserting alterations into the prayer vincing Cyrus to halt the project, which assume that all will go smoothly and for the State of Israel. he did.6 It was only resumed some two effortlessly that we run the risk of falling In addition, political discord decades later. prey to despondency and anguish. erupted too, as the National Religious Each move backward, then, how- In this respect, the case of Gaza is Party came apart at the seams, with for- ever inscrutable to our human compre- particularly instructive. There is no mer party leaders Effie Eitam and Rabbi hension, was nonetheless part of God’s question that Gaza is part of the Land Yitzhak Levy opting to break away from

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and a key component of Jewish tradition. For better or ADVERTORIAL worse, Judaism does not have the equivalent of a pope who Tivuch Shelly Realty, established in 1989, is one of Israel’s lead- lays down the final word on doctrinal issues. ing real estate specialists serving English-speaking newcomers The days leading up to the Gaza retreat also provided and the investor community. firm evidence regarding the bright future that lies ahead for Religious Zionism. Countless rallies and protests were held BRAND NEW LUXURY TOWERS IN THE HEART OF across Israel against the impending withdrawal, and anyone JERUSALEM Private synagogue ... and walk to the Western taking a close look at the faces of those taking part would Wall! New project in Arnona-Jerusalem—190 luxury apartments surely have seen that many of the participants were young MODI’IN: BUCHMAN: The Buchman neighborhood is locat- people, primarily in their teens and early twenties. ed in the heart of Modi’in, Israel’s number one “growth city.” In most Western countries, these youth’s peers gather Five and six-room cottages available. en masse for far less lofty purposes, such as sex, drugs and BEIT SHEMESH: SHAINFELD is home to one of Israel’s most rock-and-roll. But Religious Zionists were able to look on popular communities. Exceptionally popular two-story town- proudly and see that they had raised thousands of young houses with gardens and balconies. New phase of two-family men and women willing to forego their free time in order to exclusive homes now on sale. stand up and speak out for their fellow Jews. RAMAT BEIT SHEMESH ALEPH: RAMAT SHILO is an The commitment that these young people have to the exciting new community within the ever-popular Ramat Beit cause and the idealism and fervor that they generate are Shemesh-Aleph neighborhood. Fifty-four homes and apartments exceptional and unique. They, more than anything else, are with full community services. the surest indicators that Religious Zionism has a future, and MA’ALE ADUMIM: MITZPE NEVO a bright one at that. This amazing new project—to be built in one of the Jerusalem And that is why I am convinced that people who say area’s most successful knitted-kippa suburban communities—will the Gaza withdrawal marks the end of Religious Zionism are include 5- and 6-room apartments and cottages in Mitzpe Nevo. merely narrow and shortsighted, ignoring the long sweep of For more information, call tel: 972-2-566-2499 Jewish history. fax: 972-2-566-2488 or e-mail: [email protected] Even in the darkest and most foreboding periods of the Exile, Jews never doubted that we would one day return. Massacres and pogroms, Inquisitions and expulsions never the movement. But it is precisely because of all this ferment broke our collective spirit, and neither will the Gaza with- within Religious Zionism that we should have reason to be so drawal. optimistic about its future. Sharon and his comrades may have been able to with- It may sound trite, or even draw from Jewish history, but they can- clichéd, but the fact is that the not withdraw from Jewish destiny. They plethora of impassioned debates tak- There is no question can bend and twist and stretch traditional Zionist and Jewish beliefs, but they ing place within Religious Zionism that Gaza is part of today is a sign of its potency and cannot break them. strength. The heat of the arguments the Land of Israel If there is a danger to the future of show that people do care, and quite and that it belongs to Religious Zionism, it lies in the fact that deeply at that, about the issues at the Jewish people by so many Orthodox Jews continue to pre- hand. How many other movements fer living in the Diaspora to making can still generate a similar level of Divine right. aliyah. Some are so busy creating new intellectual zeal and rhetorical Nonetheless, Jews stringencies that they appear to have enthusiasm? have been expelled overlooked the Torah’s basic requirement Even disagreements among from the area seven to live in Israel. leading Religious Zionist rabbis, But even in the face of all these such as that between Rabbi Avraham times in the past two challenges and uncertainties, the dream Shapira and Rabbi Shlomo Aviner millennia. of our national return lives on. It might over the question of a soldier’s refus- take years or even decades to achieve, ing orders,11 are no cause for shame. but of one thing we can all be sure: The Whatever one may think regarding Jewish people will eventually bounce the issue itself, no one can dispute that both Rabbi Shapira back from the Gaza fiasco, just as we have throughout the and Rabbi Aviner represent legitimate Torah viewpoints. millennia. Many people seem to forget that the process of debate And there to lead the charge, at the head of the move- and deliberation is an essential part of man’s quest for truth, ment, will be a robust and resilient Religious Zionism. JA

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Notes 1. The account of Moshe Elkayam, who was evacuated together with his family from Gaza in 1929, appears in Mordechai Elkayam, 40 Shenot Yishuv Yehudi BeAza, Be’er Sheva Vehakamat Havat Ruchamah (Hebrew), (Gaza, 1994), 386. 2. Agence France-Presse, 12 September 2005. 3. Sanhedrin 98a. 4. Shemot 5:6-9. 5. Shemot 14:1-2, “God spoke to Moshe, saying, ‘Speak to the Children of Israel, and let them turn back and encamp before Pi Hachirot.…” 6. Ezra 4:24, “The work of the Temple of God in Jerusalem was halted, and remained halted until the second year of the reign of Daryavesh, king of Persia.” 7. See Kol Hator by Rabbi Hillel of Shklov, dis- ciple of the Vilna Gaon, chap. 5 (Jerusalem, 5754). 8. Malachi 3:23, “Behold, I send you Eliyahu HaNavi before the coming of the great and awesome day of God.” See Eruvin 43b. 9. See, for example, the commentary of the Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh and Ramban on Bereishit 26:3. 10. A particularly prescient view can be found in the commentary of Radak to Bereishit 26:23, where he discusses the various accounts of the Patriarchs’ digging of wells and the conflict that this led to with the Philistines. In all of these accounts, Radak notes, we see that no disputes arose between the Patriarchs and the Philistines about wells located in areas cap- tured and held centuries later by Joshua and the Israelites. This, says Radak, was intended as a sign to the Patriarchs that these areas of the Land of Israel would unquestionably belong to their descendants. But, as for the wells dug by Avraham and Yitzchak in the land of the Philistines (i.e., Gaza), disputes arose regarding them, in order to inform the Patriarchs that even though Gaza was part of the Land of Israel, their descendants would not hold on to it without contro- versy and strife. Radak adds that Israel will only suc- ceed in controlling all of Gaza when Mashiach comes. 11. A former chief rabbi of Israel and the current head of Yeshivat Mercaz Harav in Jerusalem, Rabbi Shapira came out forcefully against the idea that soldiers should follow orders and take part in the expulsion from Gush Katif. Rabbi Aviner of Beit El, head of Yeshivat Ateret Cohanim in the Old City of Jerusalem, expressed strong disapproval of the expulsion itself, but nonetheless rejected the notion that soldiers should refuse orders.

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Translated from the Hebrew by Yocheved Lavon

t’s astonishing to think that as I sit down to write partial independence. In the meantime, of course, this piece, three months have passed since the the reality has proven to be quite different. The IJews of Gush Katif were expelled from their destruction of Gush Katif did not result in calmness, homes, and yet no profound upheaval has occurred and anyone who understands anything about Arabs in Israel. Among the general public, the whole affair must have known from the start that they would has practically been forgotten. Even the suffering of interpret any show of generosity as weakness, that it the expelled settlers, many of whom are still leading a would only whet their appetite to continue the strug- nomadic existence with no permanent home in sight, has not rated a prominent place in the headlines of late. This ought to teach us something about what is happening to Israeli society. In the following

MOSHE GRYLAK MOSHE paragraphs we shall try to examine what has happened and what repercussions the uprooting of Jewish Gush Katif will have on the future of the State, on the stability of Israeli society in general and on the lives of the expellees in particular. There are still those among the Israeli public who are trying to comprehend what drove a right-wing prime minister to destroy Gush Katif. For many years Ariel Sharon had been an enthusias- tic supporter of this region of pioneer settlements. The simplistic claim that pro- tecting the Gush from terrorist attacks demanded huge expenditures on the part of the national security system now appears groundless, because it is assumed by the people of Israel that had Sharon been able to win the coming elections by a large majority, he would have repeated his Gush Katif experiment on Yehudah Rabbi Yigal Kirshenzaft, his wife and their twelve children have been and Shomron as well. This he never living in the Jerusalem Caesar Hotel since being expelled from their declared out loud; it was more in the home in the Neve Dekalim settlement in Gush Katif. The nature of a whispered rumor. Kirshenzafts, who were victims of terror attacks, have had their hotel Similarly, it is difficult to accept the room broken into and valuables stolen. Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski notion that Sharon believed for a moment in his own declarations that the withdrawal from Gush Katif would induce the Palestinians to gle against Israel. The mortar shells and Kassam adopt a peaceful stance toward Israel. Both he him- rockets flying into Israeli territory provide more tan- self and his spokesmen repeatedly claimed that rela- gible proof that nothing has changed as far as securi- tive calmness would descend upon the Gaza Strip ty is concerned. Opponents of the disengagement once the Palestinians of the area had been granted voiced a warning that after the withdrawal, Ashkelon would be the next target of the Kassam rockets. Rabbi Grylak is editor-in-chief of Mishpacha magazine. He Their prediction has already come true. is the author of four volumes of essays on the parashah, and It is indeed quite possible, as many have writes novels under the name Chaim Eliav. His most famous claimed, that Sharon’s personal entanglements with novel is In the Spider’s Web (New York, 1996). the law played a part in his dramatic decision.

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According to this theory, the disengage- for it, is a reminder to the average Israeli ing Israel as a Jewish state and are even ment was devised to deter investigations that he himself has betrayed the ideals striving to make it “a state of all its citi- against him. But it is becoming increas- of his youth. And this reminder elicits zens,” nationalist circles are seeking a ingly clear that such calculations were ever-increasing resentment that has way to preserve the Jewish character of only marginal. An analysis of the cur- gradually turned to animosity, and even the State. As they witness what is hap- rent social climate in Israel reveals two hatred. In order to justify this animosity, pening to Israeli society, they are much deeper reasons behind the deci- the average Israeli has internalized the gripped by increasing fear that the sion to evacuate Gush Katif. The more idea that it is the settlers who are pre- Jewish State, according to their defini- the facts are revealed, the clearer it venting the achievement of peace with tion of what is Jewish, is slipping becomes that two main social factors the Arabs. Only recently, I encountered through their fingers. Secular young combined to cause Sharon’s dramatic the shocking fact that in numerous people today are totally cut off from any turnabout: deeply-rooted hatred toward connection, even an emotional connec- the settlers on the part of secular Israeli The settler, by his tion, to Jewish tradition and to Eretz society and the Jewish identity crisis suf- Yisrael. In both their outlook and fered by the latter. very existence, by behavior they have strayed deep into The psychological background for his sacrifice for an foreign pastures. And as if the loss of settler-hatred is deeply embedded in the ideal and by his spiritual identity weren’t enough, there secular mentality. The settlers disturb willingness to suffer is the creeping threat of natural increase the tranquility of Israeli society, especial- on the part of the Arabs. The Arab pop- ly the left-wing elite that wields so for it, is a reminder ulation living within the borders of much influence over the public’s think- to the average Israel is rapidly closing the gap with the ing. The settler holds up a mirror to the Israeli that he him- Jewish majority and could easily out- secular Israeli, showing him an image of self has betrayed the number it in the near future. how he might look had he remained In view of this dilemma, the only faithful to his Zionist ideals. The aver- ideals of his youth. feasible way to guarantee that the State age secular Zionist has cast off the yoke retains its Jewish majority, at least from he took upon himself a century ago— recent Hebrew works, it is not uncom- a biological point of view, is total disen- the task of conquering, settling and mon for the settler to be depicted as fol- gagement from areas of the country building up Eretz Yisrael. It is clear lowing in the footsteps of the Nazis. where large Arab populations are con- beyond any doubt that at some point Considerations of space prevent me centrated. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, a on his way up the mountain, he wearied from quoting some of these “flattering” close associate of Sharon, has expressed of the climb. descriptions of settlers, but this is how this intention almost explicitly. In a When the Rabin government far things have gone. more closed setting, at a forum held by decided to go along with the Oslo This is reason enough for the sec- The Foundation for a Constitutional Accords, the Gerrer rebbe, the Pnei ular public’s wish to see the destruction Democracy, at which this writer was in Menachem, remarked, “It looks as of the settlements, the constant attendance, one could sense the distress though the Zionists are giving up on reminders of their own failing. One of the justice minister and the other their dream.” Yitzhak Rabin had always thing is clear: The hatred toward the speakers as they addressed this topic. been known as a leader who made secu- settlers prevalent among the Israeli pub- The possibility of increasing the Jewish rity a top priority; I heard at that time lic, and especially among those in con- birthrate in Israel and rekindling interest from sources close to him that the trol of the media, made Sharon’s job in Judaism among the youth does not change in his stance had come as a much easier to carry out when the time even occur to those who set the policies result of the mass exodus from Tel Aviv came. However, when all the statements of the State of Israel. In their eyes, the under the Iraqi missile attacks during on the subject made by Sharon and his liquidation of Gush Katif serves as the the Gulf War. Witnessing that, he con- close associates are summed up, what only successful model for preserving the cluded that the nation was no longer emerges is that a certain very basic Jewish majority, assuming that it were willing to fight. Indeed, that disillusion- problem led him to take such a drastic also to be applied to Yehudah and ment with the Zionist vision has step, specifically the problem of Israel’s Shomron. This is not the place for ana- brought European decadence in its identity as a Jewish state. This is a prob- lyzing how shortsighted and narrow this wake, the hedonistic culture of the West lem that has greatly troubled parts of approach is; like it or not, this is the that is eating away at everything of the Israeli establishment in recent years, thinking that prevails among the disen- value in Eretz Yisrael. Thus the settler, especially those on the right-wing end gagement supporters. by his very existence, by his sacrifice for of the political spectrum. While many During the period leading up to an ideal and by his willingness to suffer on the Left have already given up view- the expulsion, the Sharon camp certain-

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ly made use of the widespread hatred ple of settling the territories liberated in when the secular side of the partnership toward the settlers to delegitimize them the Six-Day War with various stages of decided to turn its ideas concerning the in the public eye. This delegitimization the Final Redemption. For them, the borders of Eretz Yisrael into reality. As greatly weakened the settlers in their disengagement posed a crisis of massive an initial response, the stunned settlers struggle against the decree that had been proportions, of significance far beyond and their supporters angrily declared sealed against them. They weren’t accus- the loss of one’s home. During the pre- that they were divorcing themselves tomed to being hated by the ruling disengagement period, many raised the from the State. This extreme reaction establishment. And as if that weren’t concern that the expulsion was likely to shed light on where they actually stood: enough, this deeply rooted hatred also trigger an acute crisis of faith among on the ruins of a philosophy that they led to the crime of abandoning the youth who identified the settlement of had nurtured for decades. But of course, expellees to their fate. After all the the Land with reishit tzemichat geu- such declarations were not easily accept- grandiose promises made before the lateinu, the initial stage of our redemp- ed and have triggered much debate expulsion, many of the expellees were among many of the best thinkers in that abandoned in the most shameful man- camp. Judging by articles that have ner. The government is ignoring its The hatred toward appeared in the right-wing press and by obligation to restore these people’s lives the settlers preva- what we’ve heard in countless discus- as quickly as possible. This hardhearted- lent among the sions, a lively and incisive ideological ness, too, is sure to have repercussions dialogue is taking place on how on Israel’s internal social relations. It has Israeli public, and Religious Zionists ought to respond to been months since these people were especially among the ringing slap in the face they’ve thrown out of their homes, and, as of those in control of received from their secular counterparts. this writing, around eighty percent of the media, made Even those who oppose the notion that them are still unemployed, and many Sharon’s job much separation from the State is the only are not living in suitable homes. The answer don’t know how they can go on tension generated by this situation has easier to carry out living within the State. broken up families. According to news- when the time came. It’s only been a few months since paper reports, a number of the displaced the disengagement, and it is still too have had to receive psychological care, early to tell whether a historical turn- and the fact that many of the children tion. We can be thankful that in fact, about has really taken place in the have still not been placed in proper edu- this crisis of faith occurred only in the National Religious public’s attitude cational frameworks is undoubtedly hearts of a few individuals, as far as we towards secular Zionism, or whether the causing serious damage to their develop- can see. stormy responses were, on the whole, ment. The astonishing thing is how lit- In any case, however, National merely outbursts of rage that will be for- tle people care. Disgraceful as it is, cer- Religious society is indeed suffering an gotten once the dust has settled, and tain groups have even displayed joy over acute crisis. It has not yet developed a relations between the two groups will their fellow man’s misfortune. This is clear position platform, but it is full of resume as they were before the expul- the power of hatred. All of these goings- pain as it calls for disengagement from sion. on have stained the image of the State old beliefs and for a reevaluation of its Meanwhile, the breakup between that calls itself Jewish, and the stain will relationship to the general society. The the National Religious camp and secular not be easily removed. feeling of many in these circles is that Israeli society has sharpened the posi- The disengagement was a histori- the State to which they were so loyal has tions and the identities of both sides. cal moment of truth for Israeli society, betrayed them. All of a sudden, their Despite the pain involved, the new real- especially for the National Religious partners of yesterday in the task of ity could bring about something posi- camp. At such times of crisis, when building Israel as a state and a society, tive. It cannot be denied that Religious society is put to the test, things that are the partners to whom they were faithful Zionism’s long-standing association with ordinarily rather vague and foggy sud- heart and soul, became unrecognizable. secular society, often to the point of denly become clear. Ideas that had been All of a sudden, the realization dawned actually identifying with it, has blurred held as truths for many years suddenly upon them that for all these years, they the religious identity of many members collapsed. Relationships that had lasted had glossed over the fundamental differ- within that camp. Enough ink has been for generations were undermined, and ences between themselves and their fel- spilled over this issue. The breakup, basic beliefs were reforged in the fires of low Zionists, and that in fact, the two then, could potentially yield abundant those critical events. It was especially groups had been pulling the cart of fruits in the form of religious growth hard for those with National Religious Eretz Yisrael in different directions all and a renewed Jewish outlook. The inclinations who had linked the princi- along. The contrast became obvious buds have already appeared in right-

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wing religious newspapers such as its leaders to rally publicly to its aid in that offered a helping and supportive B’Sheva and Makor Rishon. its time of trouble. This lack of support hand to the expellees. The Chareidi Another point of contention and did not stem from a lack of sensitivity public as a whole, however, did not vol- confusion for the National Religious to the pain of Jews about to be forcibly unteer as much aid as could have been public is the matter of refusing to com- expelled from their homes. Joining expected. The ideological gap caused a ply with a military order. It seems that forces with the Religious Zionists to try corresponding psychological gap, which the number of soldiers who refused to and prevent the expulsion would have not every individual knew how to over- take part in the expulsion was actually been interpreted as acquiescence to the come. It should be pointed out, howev- very small. This would seem to indicate Religious Zionist view that the mitzvah er, that some Chareidi yeshivos that cus- that the authority of the great rabbanim of settling Eretz Yisrael stands above all tomarily organize “camps,” vacation over that camp, such as the geonim else. To have participated in those force- trips of several days for their students Rabbi Avraham Shapira and Rabbi ful struggles would have been seen not every summer, announced that there Mordechai Eliyahu, is actually quite only as a show of sympathy for fellow would be no camp in 2005. We cannot minimal as their calls for refusal went Jews in distress, but as allegiance to an indulge ourselves, they said, while other unanswered. No doubt this sector will ideology that the Chareidi sector does Jews are suffering. That would be deal at great length with the weighty not believe in at all. Eretz Yisrael is no morally corrupt; let us at least bear their question of how much influence those less beloved by the Chareidim than by pain with them. who bring the word of Torah to the the National Religious, but the Only a few months have passed people really have on the National Chareidim view the mitzvah of yishuv since the disengagement. Although it Religious public. It is too early to tell HaAretz as one mitzvah among the rest, appears on the surface that the people what the repercussions of the tension not as a mitzvah exalted above all oth- have already forgotten what happened, generated between the people and their ers. This is a broad topic, and this is not at a deeper level those memories contin- spiritual leaders will be. the place to elaborate on it. ue to simmer, and it will be a long time If the voices in favor of separating When a complaint was voiced before they fade away, for the problems from the State should prevail, even if before a Chareidi rabbi that the youth of and tensions generated by those events the belief in the State as the initial phase his camp had not shown up at the mass are with us, whether we recognize them of the Redemption were to be dropped, demonstration in Kfar Maimon, his or not. JA it would not necessarily bring about a answer gave expression to the wall that rapprochement between non-Zionist divides the two factions: “I don’t think,” Orthodoxy and the National Religious. he said, “that you expected me to These two movements are separated by instruct bnei yeshivah and Beis Yaakov a deep ideological chasm. Even when girls to take part in a demonstration and certain portions of Chareidi Jewry in activities that were not conducted demonstrated their solidarity with the according to the standards of modesty people of Gush Katif, this was simply accepted by the Chareidi public, which out of a sense of empathy; none of us views modesty as the crucial key to wants to see Jews thrown out of their maintaining our position in Eretz homes and dragged off their land, espe- Yisrael. I’m not trying to hint,” he cially not at the hands of other Jews. added, “that anything happened in Kfar But there was no shared ideology Maimon that was prohibited, God for- behind those gestures of sympathy. bid. But our students, who were raised These two sectors of Jewry are funda- with different standards of modesty, mentally divided, and it doesn’t look as cannot come to such places.” In other though recent events will bring about words, even if ideological differences any real cooperation between them. were put aside, the Chareidi public They might join together in certain would not have been able to stand struggles on an ad hoc basis, but noth- shoulder to shoulder with the National ing more. Religious camp in the struggle against The disengagement was also a the expulsion. This, too, is a topic that moment of truth for the Chareidi pub- requires incisive analysis and a broader lic, which could have extended more aid treatment, and this is not the place to after the expulsion. The National discuss it at length. Religious sector is deeply disappointed It should be stressed that Chareidi at the failure of the Chareidi public and chesed organizations were among those

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SIMCHA KRAUSS

his past summer Medinat Yisrael ernment to divert attention from its Zionist alliance with the secular com- experienced one of the major own domestic problems. Neither was munities broke down well before the T traumas in its fifty-seven-year-old the disengagement seen, even by many disengagement. history. The disengagement, a policy Religious Zionists, as an anti-religious When political Zionism appeared pursued by the Sharon government to campaign directed at an overwhelmingly on the scene, the religious community unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza religious settler population to advance was divided on the very legitimacy of Strip and four other West Bank settle- some long-term secular agenda. Rather, the Zionist effort to establish a state. ments, became a reality. As a result, it was seen as one way of dealing with The basic difference in opinion revolved some 10,000 Israelis were uprooted the major problem facing Israel, that of around central ideas that, in reality, still from their homes, and the land was war and peace, of sheer physical securi- divide the religious community. The “returned” to the Palestinian Authority. ty. first issue is that of activism versus pas- Many of these evacuees are still not Even proponents of the disengage- sivity. The religious anti-Zionist posi- resettled. ment plan recognized its flaws. For one, tion was that Klal Yisrael cannot have a The public debate on the disen- it was unilateral. Israel received nothing sovereign state before the Messianic gagement was vigorous, heated and in return. The Palestinians did not com- advent. Any attempt to “hasten” the tense. In fact, the extreme positions, pro mit to reciprocate in any meaningful Redemption, they argued, is both theo- and con, were articulated in voices that way. Even so, the status quo also has its logically and halachically beyond the were too shrill for comfort. Intense own dangers. An unstable situation is pale. So much so that any attempt to opponents of the disengagement did always prone to violent eruptions. Israel create a state invites, and is worthy of, not hesitate to invoke memories of the before the disengagement was viewed as Divine retribution. Obviously, Religious Shoah. Government personnel, such as a “pariah” state by most of the interna- Zionists rejected this approach com- army officers responsible for carrying tional community. The demographic pletely. To them, activism as regards out the orders of the government and problem of Jews becoming a minority binyan HaAretz, developing Eretz Yisrael Prime Minister Ariel Sharon himself, in their own country is, according to all, and establishing sovereignty there, is the were compared to Nazis. a problem that needed a solution. And, highest expression of the Biblical pre- Supporters, on the other hand, the people are tired of a fifty-seven-year- cept of yishuv Eretz Yisrael. demonized the settlers, most of whom old war, and sickened by the experience The second issue concerned relat- belong to the Religious Zionist commu- of the last two intifadas. Such a people ing to non-observant Jews. The religious nity. The very term “settler” became one saw the disengagement as a chance, anti-Zionists argued that cooperation of derision and contempt. Some equat- albeit a very slim one, for peace. They with the non-observant—hitchabrut ed “settlers” with “occupiers.” Settlers saw it as a gamble that may move the lareshaim—even for good causes, is pro- were no longer considered Israelis and country from military confrontation to hibited. Hence cooperation with secular were accused of being disloyal to the political negotiation. The Israeli govern- Zionists is out of the question. Religious State. The situation was so tense that ment felt this was a risk worth taking, Zionists argued, with equal fervor and there was a real fear of civil war and vio- and, apparently, most Israelis agreed conviction, that cooperation with the lence. with that assessment. non-observant does not imply recogni- However, despite this incendiary At the premise of questions 2 and tion of their secular ideology. atmosphere, the civil peace held; there 3 raised by Jewish Action (What will be The establishment of the State did was no civil war. Why? Perhaps because, the short- and long-term effects of the not end these debates. It is true that for contrary to the hype on both sides and disengagement on Religious Zionism’s a short—very short—period most seg- to the usual portrayal of Israelis as cyni- attitude toward the State? Toward the ments of religious Jewry saw in the cal, most Israelis did not view the disen- army? and Has the alliance between sec- establishment of the State some form of gagement as a ploy by the Sharon gov- ular and religious Jewry in Israel been Divine blessing. Rabbi Menachem irreparably damaged as a result of the Kasher published a letter, written in Rabbi Krauss is rabbi emeritus of the Young disengagement?) is the notion that, until 1949, addressed to the religious com- Israel of Hillcrest, in New York, and immediate past president of the Religious Zionists of recently, there was a long-standing munity in Israel regarding the impor- America. He and his wife recently made alliance between secular and religious tance of voting in the upcoming elec- aliyah. He is on the Talmud faculty of Yeshivat Jewry. The premise is correct, but it is tions. In that letter, Rabbi Yechezkel Eretz HaTzvi in Yerushalayim. my contention that the Religious Sarna, rosh yeshivah of the Slabodka

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yeshivah in Hebron; Rabbi Tzvi Pesach were no longer junior partners in the nity associated with the Labor Party, Frank, chief rabbi of Yerushalayim; broader national-religious alliance. To who was the erstwhile ally of the Rabbi Yaakov Sinkiewic, rosh yeshivah of their religious adversaries on the Right, Religious Zionists, favored negotiation Gur, and a host of other Chareidi as they could now point to God’s interven- and the “giving up” of land. The right- well as Religious Zionist rabbis and tion as nothing less than bestowing wing nationalistic groups, who, from roshei yeshivah called the establishment Divine legitimacy on Israel’s existence. the early rise of Zionism, viewed the of the State of Israel atchalta deGeulah Indeed, reishit tzemichat geulateinu was State in maximalist terms, obviously (the beginning of the Redemption) (Kol no empty phrase; what it meant exactly opposed the giving up of land. As this Hator [5732], p. 374). But this unity in was a matter of debate, but the element debate over land continued and sharp- outlook was short-lived. of Divine “blessing” of the State was ened, the third constituency, the In fact, initially both the Religious acknowledged by all. Religious Zionists, slowly but surely Zionists and the religious anti-Zionists This new triumphalism had prac- began to move away from consensus- participated in the government. But tical consequences, specifically in rela- building political alliances that focused their rationales for doing so diverged. on negotiations and compromise. They While the justification given by the reli- began to increasingly ally themselves gious anti-Zionists for joining the gov- with the extreme right positions that ernment was complex, the Religious The Religious Zionist eschewed compromise. Zionist position was simple. By joining alliance with the In this process, however, Religious the government and creating an alliance secular communities Zionism lost sight of the other critical with the secular community, Religious broke down well issues facing society. In its exclusive Zionists were simply implementing, in a before the disengage- focus on the issue of land, it became Jewish state, their long-held historic transformed into a one-issue party. The view of contributing and working with ment. consequence was the loss of a political all segments of the Jewish community. base, loss of political power and loss of In the early days of the State when so influence. Nothing marginalizes a party much had to be done, they shared a tion to settlements. When successive more than being addicted only to a sin- common social, economic and political Israeli governments encouraged its citi- gle issue. The isolation of the settlers agenda with the larger secular commu- zens to settle in the newly conquered during the whole disengagement period nity. In fact, out of that early coopera- territories of Eretz Yisrael, the religious was only the most painful example of tion on all kinds of issues, there communities responded with enthusi- how far this marginalization affected the emerged the “historic alliance” between asm. They were now in the forefront of Religious Zionists. the secular (Labor Party) and the reli- building Eretz Yisrael. And for a long Is the rift irreparable? I am confi- gious (National Religious Party) that time the Religious Zionist communi- dent that the break can be healed. Israeli lasted for a long time. When the late ty—with its idealism and its policy of society faces many problems; the gap, Dr. Yosef Burg, one of the leaders of the involvement in the State, in the army not only between the rich and the poor NRP, was asked which is the more (via hesder yeshivot) and in all areas of but also between the satiated and the important component of the NRP, the public life—became a model for the hungry, is growing. The integrity of “national” or the “religious,” he entire community. governmental institutions is in question. answered: “the hyphen.” That was not But Israel was also a country at The public educational system needs an just a clever retort; it reflected the pro- war. Above all other problems, there overhaul. Not to speak of the broader found reality of the Religious Zionist loomed the specter of political instabili- issues such as the Jewish character of commitment to uniting with the broad- ty and insecurity. Terrorism, intifadas Medinat Yisrael and the role of Jewish er Jewish community. and suicide bombs all brought home, tradition in the State. Israel’s stunning victory in the Six- on a daily basis, the message that our The Religious Zionist community Day War of 1967 had a profound very existence should not be taken for has the human resources, the enthusi- impact on the Religious Zionist self- granted. And there was Oslo—the hope asm, the idealism and the ideology that image. It now saw itself in a new and for peace, the disappointments, the can get the country moving in the right triumphant light. The Religious trauma of the assassination of Prime direction. Its message that what we do Zionists could now, after the miraculous Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The country here and now can be stamped with the victory, speak to their allies in state became torn by the issue of land for breath of eternity is one that the majori- building on the Left of God’s interven- peace. ty of Israelis can accept. But first tion without apologia. Indeed, with the In this new divide over land for Religious Zionism must move out of its religious moment acknowledged even peace, there were three discernible polit- self-imposed isolation and restore the by the secularists, Religious Zionists ical groups. The general secular commu- “hyphen” to its central position. JA

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